Congratulations on your book, Courtney! I'm so glad you've taken on this important topic. Being part of integrated neighborhood schools has been my reality for the past several years and I'm looking forward to reading about your experiences. I also wanted to say that your recent piece on altruism was truly one of your finest.
As always, so inspired by the way you approach things. Have pre-ordered the book for myself and friends. Really looking forward to diving in. Also really appreciate your transparency here: https://www.courtneyemartin.com/activism/
Please excuse the interruption, but your mention of your friends' ideas that included "I jot down my worst fears and we burn them in a fire" made me immediately remember attending the 2009 burning of Zozobra. That's a tradition since 1924 that's held just before Fiesta. From the burnzobra.com website:
"Zozobra is a hideous but harmless fifty-foot bogeyman marionette. He is a toothless, empty-headed facade. He has no guts and doesn’t have a leg to stand on. He is full of sound and fury, signifying nothing. He never wins. He moans and groans, rolls his eyes and twists his head. His mouth gapes and chomps. His arms flail about in frustration. Every year we do him in. We string him up and burn him down in ablaze of fireworks. At last, he is gone, taking with him all our troubles for another whole year. Santa Fe celebrates another victory."
I can't tell you how primal and cathartic the experience was for me in 2009. Part of the ritual is that the SF New Mexican newspaper puts out a dropbox for the week prior and encourages people to deposits lists of grievances, debts resolved, whatever it is they want to rid and cleanse themselves of. I did this, and still have the scanned copy. I also shot some photos and video clips throughout that day of how the whole thing developed. It's on YouTube if you search for zozobra 2009, but there are dozens or hundreds of others.
Thanks, Courtney, for the reminder and best wishes for the book! You've inspired me.
Will there be a way to listen to it as an audio book? Thanks!
Congratulations on your book, Courtney! I'm so glad you've taken on this important topic. Being part of integrated neighborhood schools has been my reality for the past several years and I'm looking forward to reading about your experiences. I also wanted to say that your recent piece on altruism was truly one of your finest.
Pre-ordered! I can’t wait!
Just pre-ordered multiple copies for the tbd neighbors I know I will be called to give it away to
Curious as to whether you have launched the book club toolkit? Like Rebecca, I’m excited for the conversations this might spark in community.
I am so, so thrilled to read this book, share it with other white parents, and make some noise in my community. I know it will be just what we need.
As always, so inspired by the way you approach things. Have pre-ordered the book for myself and friends. Really looking forward to diving in. Also really appreciate your transparency here: https://www.courtneyemartin.com/activism/
Please excuse the interruption, but your mention of your friends' ideas that included "I jot down my worst fears and we burn them in a fire" made me immediately remember attending the 2009 burning of Zozobra. That's a tradition since 1924 that's held just before Fiesta. From the burnzobra.com website:
"Zozobra is a hideous but harmless fifty-foot bogeyman marionette. He is a toothless, empty-headed facade. He has no guts and doesn’t have a leg to stand on. He is full of sound and fury, signifying nothing. He never wins. He moans and groans, rolls his eyes and twists his head. His mouth gapes and chomps. His arms flail about in frustration. Every year we do him in. We string him up and burn him down in ablaze of fireworks. At last, he is gone, taking with him all our troubles for another whole year. Santa Fe celebrates another victory."
I can't tell you how primal and cathartic the experience was for me in 2009. Part of the ritual is that the SF New Mexican newspaper puts out a dropbox for the week prior and encourages people to deposits lists of grievances, debts resolved, whatever it is they want to rid and cleanse themselves of. I did this, and still have the scanned copy. I also shot some photos and video clips throughout that day of how the whole thing developed. It's on YouTube if you search for zozobra 2009, but there are dozens or hundreds of others.
Thanks, Courtney, for the reminder and best wishes for the book! You've inspired me.